Spotted a crack, chip or patch of rot on one of your window frames? You're not alone, and fixing it is usually more straightforward (and cheaper) than replacing the whole window.

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What you pay depends on the material, the extent of the damage and whether finishing work like repainting is included.

This guide covers typical costs for wood, uPVC and aluminium frames, what drives the price up, and when it makes more sense to replace than repair.

Cost to repair a window frame

Most window frame repairs cost between £107 and £364, depending on the material and how much work is involved.

A tradesperson will charge an average of £47 per hour for window frame repairs.

Wooden window frame repair cost

Repairs typically cost £107 to £237, with an average of £172. Structural rot or damage across multiple frames will push costs higher.

Wood frames are the most repair-intensive material. Surface rot, cracked paint and moisture swelling are all common, particularly on older properties.

For older sash windows, the cords and pulleys can also need attention at the same time. See our guide to sash window cord repair for a separate cost breakdown.

uPVC window frame repair cost

uPVC is also called vinyl, so you may see both terms used. Repairs typically cost £164 to £364, with an average cost of £264.

Yes, uPVC window frames can be repaired in most cases. Chips, cracks and discolouration are all fixable: the cost depends on the size of the damage and whether the frame seal needs replacing too.

Colour-matching and seal replacement are the most common add-on costs that can drive up the price.

Aluminium window frame repair cost

Repairs to aluminium window frames typically cost £127 to £310, with an average of £218.

Aluminium frames are durable but can suffer impact damage, corrosion, or failed thermal breaks.

Most repairs are done by specialist glaziers or aluminium window fitters rather than general builders.

Factors affecting the cost of window frame repair

Several things affect what you'll pay:

• Frame material: Wood is the most labour-intensive to repair - uPVC and aluminium are faster but may need specialist colour-matching, which takes more time

• Size of the damaged area: A small chip takes about an hour to fix, while a rotted section across two windows is a full day's work

• Condition of the frame: Frames with structural rot or significant warping cost substantially more than surface repairs. In some cases, full window replacement costs less than an extensive repair

• Number of frames: Tradespeople often reduce the per-frame rate when doing multiple windows in the same visit

• Access: Upper-floor frames may need scaffolding or a cherry picker, which adds to the cost

• Repainting or resealing: Most repairs include finishing - but confirm this before accepting a quote

• Window sill condition: Sill damage often accompanies frame damage. Check how much it costs to replace a window sill if yours has also deteriorated

Window frame replacement cost

Replacing a single window frame typically costs from around £200-£400 for a small uPVC frame up to £2,500-£3,000 for a large composite frame.

If your existing frame just needs patching up, repair is the cheaper option by a wide margin. Where multiple frames need replacing anyway, or you're switching material altogether, tackling everything in one job often narrows that per-window cost.

For a full breakdown, see our guide to full window replacement costs.

Cost to replace a rotted window frame

Replacing a rotten window frame averages around £291, though the total depends on frame size and material.

If the rot is caught early, repair is almost always cheaper. But once a frame has lost structural integrity, patching it is a short-term fix.

A new frame seals properly, holds its shape, and will outlast any repair on a badly compromised frame by decades.

How much does it cost to remove a window?

You'll usually pay around £100 to remove a window, with a typical range of £54 to £145.

This is usually charged separately when you're having a full replacement done, and covers safely removing the existing frame, glass, and fixings without damaging the surrounding brickwork or render.

Window frame repair cost: job estimator tool

Get an approximate quote for your window frame repair - or compare estimates with the cost of a replacement - with the Checkatrade job estimate calculator.

Type out a few details, like the kind of window frames you need to get replaced, and the tool will use our data to give you an idea of costs.

Job Estimate Calculator

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Can you repair a rotten window frame yourself?

If the rot is surface-level and contained to a small area, a DIY repair is achievable with the right wood hardener and filler.

For anything structural, where the frame flexes, bows, or won't close properly, you're better off hiring a tradesperson who knows what they're doing. You risk bigger problems if the frame loses its shape.

DIY is reasonable when:

• The rot is limited to a small patch of the surface

• The frame still fits squarely and closes without effort

• You're comfortable working with wood hardener and two-part epoxy filler

Call a repair service when:

• The frame flexes, bows or won't close properly

• Multiple frames are affected

• You have sash windows or historic timber that needs careful matching

For materials, apply a wood hardener first to stabilise any soft areas, then pack in a two-part epoxy filler once it's dry. Sand it flush, prime it, then repaint.

Epoxy filler is likely to be the right choice here: it won't shrink or crack the way standard wood filler can, and it bonds well to treated timber.

What to expect from a window frame repair tradesperson

Most tradespeople will quote after seeing the damage, either in person or from photos.

Once on site, they'll clean the area, remove any loose or rotten material, apply a filler or patch, then sand and repaint or reseal.

Repairing a single frame usually takes 2 to 4 hours.

Here's what the process typically looks like:

1. Quote: The tradesperson assesses the damage and asks for photos or visits in person. They'll want to know the frame material, extent of the damage and how many frames are affected

2. Preparation: On site, they clean the area and remove any soft, loose, or rotten material

3. Repair: They apply wood hardener (for timber), filler, or a replacement timber section, depending on severity

4. Finishing: Once the filler or patch is dry, they sand smooth, prime, and repaint or reseal to match the existing frame

5. Curing time: Most fillers and paints need 24 hours to fully cure before the area can be exposed to rain

Ask upfront whether repainting is included in the quote or charged separately.

The benefits of repairing your window frame

A repair beats a full replacement in a few clear ways:

• Cost: Repair is almost always cheaper than full replacement

• Speed: Most repairs are done in a day or less

• Minimal disruption: There's no need to remove the whole window, so your home stays weathertight throughout

• Sustainability: Keeping the existing frame avoids the embodied carbon of manufacturing and transporting a new one

If your window has failed double glazing alongside the frame damage, you can often fix the glass without touching the frame. See blown window repair costs for more on that.

How to find a window frame repair service

Finding a window repair specialist is easy with Checkatrade. We check and verify our members, so you know all of the tradespeople in our directory meet our standards.

To get started, enter your postcode to browse tradespeople offering window frame repairs in your area.

Every Checkatrade job is backed by our £1,000 guarantee

Up to £1000. Eligibility criteria and T&C’s apply.

You can also use our quick and easy request a quote feature and we'll get window repair specialists working in your area to contact you directly. To get accurate quotes, be as detailed as you can:

• The type of frame: uPVC, wood, aluminium or composite

• How many frames need work

• Photos of the damage (including any rot or gaps)

• Whether you need repair only, or repair plus repaint

Or download the Checkatrade app to browse on the go and keep all your conversations with tradespeople in one handy place.

Window frame repair cost checklist

Before hiring a tradesperson, here's what to check:

Window frame repair checklist

• Identify whether the damage is cosmetic (chips, surface cracks, gaps) or structural (rot, frame won't close).

• Note the material of your frames: wood, uPVC, aluminium or composite.

• Count how many frames need work and roughly how large each damaged area is.

• Check whether the frame seal or glazing bead has also failed, as this affects the quote.

• Decide whether you want repair only, or repair plus repaint.

• Check if your windows are under any manufacturer or installer warranty before booking work.

Window frame repair cost FAQs

Your window repair may uncover other work that needs doing. At Checkatrade, you can find checked and reviewed window fitters, builders, plasterers, carpenters, and more - all in one place, all committed to quality and a job done right.

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